It's a tight race for the Central Division title with the Nashville Predators, the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues all within two points of each-other battling for the top spot. The two latter is facing off at United Center tonight, and I expect the hosts to come out ahead here in the first of two meetings in four days.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous Meetings - The Blackhawks have won two of the first three meetings on the season and they have taken six of the last seven in the series overall. They're a stellar 11-0-2 in the last 13 match-ups in Chicago and are likely to face Jake Allen in the Blues net after Brian Elliott's struggles of late. Allen was torched for four goals on 33 shots when facing Chicago last month, and I think the Blues goalie are in for another rough outing here.

2. Injuries - Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen are first and second respectively on the Blues for points this season, but the duo has been a miss over recent games due to injuries. Steen could be back tonight, but keep in mind that he has been held without a point in each of the first three meetings with the Blackhawks this season.

3. X-Factor - The Blackhawks Jonathan Toews is leading the Blackhawks for both goals and points and has tallied three goals over two games so far in April.

Selection: This is a play on the Chicago Blackhawks *8